Bowie gets political: 'Scotland, stay with us'

The unionist cause got a boost from David Bowie at the Brit Awards last night, in the latest celebrity endorsement for the Scottish independence referendum's 'no' campaign.

The 67-year-old rock icon, who won the Best British Male gong, has masterminded his latest comeback without making a single public appearance.

But a message to the country delivered by Bowie's "representative on Earth" supermodel Kate Moss, who was accepting the award on his behalf, showed he has not completely insulated himself from public life.

Moss, wearing the infamous red jumpsuit from Bowie's last performance as Ziggy Stardust, read: "I'm completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male - but I am, aren't I Kate? Yes. I think it's a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much - and Scotland stay with us."

John Street, professor of politics at the University of East Anglia, pointed out Bowie's intervention was at odds with the attitude to politics taken by virtually everyone else at the Brits.

"Bowie's intervention is in stark contrast to the reaction of other bands and performers," he wrote on his blog.

"Pressed by a BBC reporter to say what they thought about Scottish independence, the usually feisty Arctic Monkeys and their fellow performers offered a very diplomatic 'no comment' – thinking, perhaps, of sales and streaming north of the border.

"But in their silence, they were typical. Most musicians spend most of their time not engaging with mainstream politics."

Bowie's comment prompted an avalanche of excitement on Twitter from 'cybernats' and unionists alike.

One blogger penned an entire open letter to Bowie packaging an argument in favour of independence in song titles from the star's back catalogue.

"I can’t explain how much difference the potential of independence could make over time," the letter stated.

It’s all about growing up - a belief that our golden years are ahead of us. And we could move on from the state of affairs where our legislature is comprised of scary monsters like George Osbourne and kooks like Priti Patel."